Free Timers for Windows and Mac!

[Marty_McFly-3DT]

Hey everyone... while looking up some news on Spiderman 3, I found a cool countdown timer they have for the release of the movie. When I went to download it, I found out that I needed to go to Yahoo to download their Widget Engine first. that eventually led me to making this post here.

For those that don't know what a widget is... it's basically a small program that designed to sit on your desktop and give you some type of information while using very little in the way of processing power or RAM.

So while searching through the many Widgets available, I found a few timer programs that would be very useful for the Speed Modeling Challenge members. So I now present to you, a free way to time your modeling... and best of all is that they're compatable with Windows and Macs!

So, here is the page to download the Yahoo Widget Engine (http://widgets.yahoo.com/).

Here is the timer widget that I found most useful since it counts upwards instead of downwards. Job Timer (http://widgets.yahoo.com/gallery/view.php?widget=38665)

Here are the results for a search for the word "timer" in their widgets search engine. Timer Widgets (http://widgets.yahoo.com/gallery/?search=timer&x=0&y=0)

I highly encourage the members here to at least try out the timer I suggested, as it is a very valuable tool to have when speed modeling at these challenges. Also, feel free to mention any other timer widgets that you find useful.

(Now if I could only find a decent speel cheecker widget... I'd be set!) :roll:

Marty

[nathaniliov]

Another good one is "Phantim3" which can be found at http://www.phantim3.com/

[DarkBoost]

Interesting...
There are lots of these little things online but is still it comes down to the honesty of the modeller/artist.
Having each entry supply a wireframe assists in gauging the time spent but the only real way to confirm
someones modelling time would be to stand over them and watch them work.

Here is a simple Flash Timer [no installation required]
Speed Timer (http://www.flashloaded.com/flashcomponents/flashtimer/example5.html)

[Antievo-3DT]

Quick Reply:
Aha, cool! I have been using my alarmclock :p
Hardware over Software, lol.

[Marty_McFly-3DT]

DarkBoost: In the end, I really only posted this up for people like Antievo-3DT who are trying to use egg timers or alarm clocks to keep track of their modeling time! I know I struggled for a while trying to find a good free timer program to use while modeling. I used to write down my start and stop times on paper and add them up over time to see where I was. That got old really quick!

Marty

[Antievo-3DT]

Quick Reply:
Egg timers are a pain. Those software timers are nice :)
I never even thought about anything like that before...

[capitan_popo]

cool thanx marty!!!!!!!!

[ClassicGamer-3DT]

great stuff marty, a good find, thanks :)

CG

[--Strattus--]

Hey, thanks Marty! I was using an "entry manager"(ok, just putted my low programming skills to work :D) But that one rocks! :D

Ps.. ok, i know my soft is buggy, but it has been made for the SMC... so it has the 60, 120 minutes time limit, and inputs to put your entry at.. if anyone wants it, just PM me :D

[evil-98]

hey thats really cool, i use my music list LOL.. i start with one song and see where
it stops and add up the time. looks like im going to be using that flash timer, simple
and easy.

[spooner]

Hey marty,
I noticed when looking through the widgets they have ones that notify you of thread updates on particular forums, any odds of someone developing one of those for 3dtotal?

[evolution]

Hey Marty great find I love the widgets I have a rubicks cube that I use to pass the time occasionally :) anyways I was actually looking into playing with the widgets sdk and maybe making something so I might make a custom timer with threedy stylized graphics and such if so I'll post it to let you guys know!!!

[Marty_McFly-3DT]

Spooner: I was thinking about that myself actually... I thought it would be a great idea. Unfortunately, I have a very small amount of programming skills... but I think I'm going to post it as a suggestion in the Moderator's section and see if we can come up with something.

Evolution: That sounds great! A custom Threedy timer would be pretty cool... especially since you can make the graphics for it in 3D! :smug: Hmm... a mini Speed Challenge to make custom 3D skins? Muahahaha..... :evil:

Marty

[evolution]

Ok so I've been playing with the widgets and I've got all the basics of the timer done, i.e. starting, pausing, and obviously timing :) So my question to all of you is what would you guys like to see as part of the timer, let me know a few suggestions about what would be helpful to you.

Marty: a speed challenge for custom 3d skins would be awesome, we could take a few of them and make the different skins different preferences.

[Rune Jensen]

evolution: Brilliant idea. I agree.. :)

[Diabolos]

Since I am uncertain about some programs - I just like to check out things, I figured other members may have the same reservations - so....

Is it safe to run the Yahoo! Widget Engine and Yahoo! Widgets?

The Widget Engine is like any other application you install on your computer - by itself it will not harm your machine.

However, it is possible that a Widget can harm your machine. Widget Engine 3.1 gives you security warnings before you run a risky Widget to make sure you know what each Widget does.

In general, we recommend that you only run Widgets from sources that you trust.

For more information on the Widget Security, see the "Yahoo! Login and Security" section in the help pages.

D,